PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN EASTERN SLOVAKIA FOLLOWING THE EASING OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Abstract

Prolonged physical inactivity reduces fitness and increases the risk of metabolic, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases. This study aimed to analyze the physical activity of students from universities in Eastern Slovakia after the COVID-19 pandemic using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). A total of 253 responses from Pavol Jozef Šafárik University (UPJŠ) and the Technical University of Košice (TUKE) were evaluated, including sedentary time. Significant differences were found in vigorous physical activity (p < 0.05), while no differences were observed in moderate, low, or total activity levels. Students of UPJŠ reported significantly longer sedentary time on weekdays (p < 0.05) and weekends (p < 0.001) compared to TUKE students. The findings underscore the importance of promoting regular physical activity and fostering supportive conditions at universities as a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle in the post-pandemic era.